NBI operatives rescued 15 girls, all minors, during the subsequent raid. They also recovered sex toys, used condoms, sex pills and computers containing footage of sexual abuse that had taken place within his apartment.

Shobbrook and Fernandez were accused of recruiting the girls and selling videos of them on the internet.

The girls said they were promised payment and educational support if they worked for Shobbrook.

However, Shobbrook sexually abused the girls and sold footage of these acts on the internet. The girls also claimed they were also offered to other foreigners for sex.

A separate trial is ongoing at the Lapu Lapu City Court for charges of witness tampering against Vanessa Monte Alto and three ‘John Does’.

Prosecutors allege Shobbrook used the defendants to bribe the witnesses to not testify against him. These alleged accomplices face 15-year sentences if found guilty.

The International Justice Mission (IJM), a non-government organisation which helps victims of sex trafficking, helped to bring Shobbrook to justice.

John Tanagho, IJM’s field office director in Cebu, said: “Today’s convictions send a strong message that if you sexually abuse and exploit Filipino children online and create child pornography you will be convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

“Whether Filipino or foreigner, all perpetrators of human trafficking for online sexual exploitation of children should be held accountable under Philippine law.”